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by Scott Stevens - Lakes Weekly Bulletin

Climate change. It is a real thing, and according to the NIWA experts, 2024 was the 10th warmest year on record. Last winter was on the mild side but it was hardly a warm and sunny spring and start to the summer. What really got me about the 2024 weather was the wet factor. Even now, as the midsummer sun finally starts to pack some punch, the green green grass on the hillsides surrounding the Wakatipu tell the story. Whatever happened to the burnt Otago landscape colours made famous by Grahame Sydney, Graham Brinsley and other great New Zealand artists?

But climate change is not all about heat and burning sun. Although those in California are feeling it right now, it is the crazy strong winds fanning the flames which are the most influential climate effect fuelling their disastrous predicament. Here in the Southern Lakes, those Norwesters we have felt far too often these last few months whipping down the valleys can and do, bring significant fire danger that can easily take out suburbs and townships.

The fire risk indicators you see dotted around everywhere, and district wide summer fire bans are no joke. The question is how many languages do we need to spell out the obvious in? Because we do invite and happily receive our peak number of overseas visitors right now. Many are experiencing the traditional Kiwi dream, travelling around in camper vans, cooking in the outdoors, singing kumbaya around a campfire…what’s the worst that could happen??

Plenty. However, all we can do is be prepared and act quickly when the time comes to get out alive with your friends, family and neighbours. Call it climate change or not, man-made or not, the reality is still the same. Weather happens. We need to deal with it, and the changing nature of it. Because it is changing. This is a fact, not a conspiracy theory.

This also rings true for our economy, for we are a climate-based holiday destination that 90% of our economy relies on. Climate matters and rules over everything and everybody. Despite some very fine indoor activities and world class food and beverage, people come here for the spectacular scenery, and they want to get into it and experience our great outdoors.

Riding a bike, climbing a hill, sightseeing on a lake cruise, a bungy jump or jetboat ride is not as much fun in the pouring rain or howling wind. Even having a beer is more fun outside in the sun alfresco style. Obviously, a winter with no snow is also economically deflating.

We are not immune to the catastrophic weather events we see play out around the world, but even without big life altering events, we still live in the uncertain grasp of a climate economy. And that’s the truth too, not fake news.